the wet tripod

a9ape · 5th August 2004

Pardon me, but will anything detrimental happen to a tripod if its being soaked for an hour in water?

I'm actually planning to do a panorama of the inside of a swimming pool under the water.

Any suggestions?

justarius · 5th August 2004

Have you thought of suspending your camera upside down in the water instead of submerging the whole tripod? eg using the reversible central column of the tripod, put your camera on, dunk the whole column underwater but with the legs outside (so you must shoot in a corner of some sort).

Tzuen · 6th August 2004

I think it depends alot on your tripod, some tripods use lubribricating agents that would be washed away by water. A bigger concern is your tripod head. Almost all ballheads WILL rust internally and fail if dunked in water.

jovedaddy · 6th August 2004

how about getting a cheapo tripod and weigh it down with some weights? no need to use a good and stable tripod as the movements in the water are all dampened anyway. free IS everything

.. if you are using Canon that is

sehsuan · 7th August 2004

what is the intention of your tripod being submerged?

you may want to ask this question at the Underwater Photography section.

a9ape · 7th August 2004

Hey guys

Thanks so much for the ideas. My whole intention of submerging the tripod is to get a panorama pic of the interior of the swimming pool.

As the pool is an open air one, I don't think i'll be able to submerge my tripod upside down. Besides, the pool is so deep, i'll probably be submerging the whole tripod in the end...

I definitely will have to use a tripod for this one because i'm going to do the pictures at night and the light condition is extremely low....

what do you think if i wrap my tripod with plastic bags? I'll have to weigh my tripod down as it will float, don't i?

sehsuan · 7th August 2004

pool? not a problem. just make sure your camera doesn't drown...

binbeto · 7th August 2004

I am afraid the picture will tun out blur also. The tripod will be very light and unstable due the bouncy of the water.

Tripod mounted on water won't really damaged it. Just make sure the head is not in the water. Dismantle the legs of the tripod after immerse in water to wipe and leave to dry, apply light lubrication on the thread.
*based on Gitzo tripod design*

Mounting the coulmn upside down will never work, unless you want the legs of the tipod to be part of the paranomic image.

willyfoo · 7th August 2004

Tried wrapping my tripod with plastic bags before.... doesn't work... more hassle then benefits... gave up the idea and just used the tripod in water... weighing it down will be important...

Don't use an expensive head so it won't be that painful if it rusts....

nicholas1986 · 7th August 2004

pump out the water ?

Wai · 7th August 2004

why not just get those cheap $20 tripod? They made of plastic and aluminium, so will not rust.

if spoil also not so heart pain mah

5th August 2004	#1
a9ape Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 111	the wet tripod Pardon me, but will anything detrimental happen to a tripod if its being soaked for an hour in water? I'm actually planning to do a panorama of the inside of a swimming pool under the water. Any suggestions?

7th August 2004	#8
binbeto Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Behind a lens Posts: 2,382	I am afraid the picture will tun out blur also. The tripod will be very light and unstable due the bouncy of the water. Tripod mounted on water won't really damaged it. Just make sure the head is not in the water. Dismantle the legs of the tripod after immerse in water to wipe and leave to dry, apply light lubrication on the thread. based on Gitzo tripod design Mounting the coulmn upside down will never work, unless you want the legs of the tipod to be part of the paranomic image. __________________ Visit my Homepage if you have time. Comments appreciated.

7th August 2004	#9
willyfoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: North Posts: 2,085	Tried wrapping my tripod with plastic bags before.... doesn't work... more hassle then benefits... gave up the idea and just used the tripod in water... weighing it down will be important... Don't use an expensive head so it won't be that painful if it rusts.... __________________ Singapore Wedding Photographer Willy Foo on Twitter & Facebook

5th August 2004	#2
justarius Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Western side of Singapore Posts: 1,163	Have you thought of suspending your camera upside down in the water instead of submerging the whole tripod? eg using the reversible central column of the tripod, put your camera on, dunk the whole column underwater but with the legs outside (so you must shoot in a corner of some sort).

6th August 2004	#3
Tzuen Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 462	I think it depends alot on your tripod, some tripods use lubribricating agents that would be washed away by water. A bigger concern is your tripod head. Almost all ballheads WILL rust internally and fail if dunked in water.

6th August 2004	#4
jovedaddy Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Sengkang Posts: 391	how about getting a cheapo tripod and weigh it down with some weights? no need to use a good and stable tripod as the movements in the water are all dampened anyway. free IS everything .. if you are using Canon that is

7th August 2004	#5
sehsuan Deregistered Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 6,674	what is the intention of your tripod being submerged? you may want to ask this question at the Underwater Photography section.

7th August 2004	#10
nicholas1986 Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: singapore Posts: 435	pump out the water ?

7th August 2004	#11
Wai Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Pole with Penguins Posts: 5,122	why not just get those cheap $20 tripod? They made of plastic and aluminium, so will not rust. if spoil also not so heart pain mah